Introduction Last semester I learned about coastal and tundra grasses, primarily beach rye grass, and the various culturally distinct ways people have ingeniously transformed the fiber into containers, clothing, coverings, and fabrics. This semester I wanted to turn my attention to materials from the boreal forest. As I remain most …
The Kaayani Sisters, consisting of Trixie Bennett, Louise Brady, Eva Burk, Tia Holley, Gloria Simeon, Disney Williams and Naomi Michalsen have developed the Respectful Harvesting Guidelines, a living document which they will edit and update as necessary. The project has been initiated and organized by Naomi Michalsen (Kaasei Training & …
GROW – Growing Rural Opportunities for Wellness is a partnership of the Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) and the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, funded by the CARES Act with Covid-response funds. GROW hosted a webinar series dedicated to different aspects of growing and harvesting food in Alaska. Three …
‘You are loved, you are cared for and you belong’ KuC faculty Diane McEachern and Yup’ik Elder Esther Green dedicated their monthly Ikayutet radio show on KYUK to Indigenous perspectives of gender diversity: The Way We Naturally Are
Introduction For some time, I’ve wanted to tap trees for sap, but I don’t have any tap-able trees in my yard. Land access, and access to the variety of plants living on different lands around us is a significant challenge, much more for some people than for me. As a …
Invited Ethnobotany Panel at the 2022 Alaska Forum on the Environment: Where Culture and Plants Entwine Presenters: Meda DeWitt: People, Plants, and Culture: Understanding through an Indigenous Lens of Interdependent Relationships. Julie Rowland: Overharvesting of Fiddleheads in Southcentral Alaska Lisa Strecker: The UAF Ethnobotany Program Ethnobotany is the interdisciplinary study …
Leymus mollis (Trin.) Pilg. Introduction Grasses, along with many plant fibers, played a significant role in humanity’s ability to innovate and survive. All of our ancestors found innovation within their local context. As humans gained proficiency with tools and materials, grasses and other plant fibers were fashioned into cordage, containers, …
Botanical Information Species: Pandanus tectorius Parkinson ex Du Roi (Pandanaceae) Common names: thatch screwpine, hala tree, pandanus Hawaiian name: pu hala (Carr, 2002) Pandanus tectorius is a dioecious member of the screwpine family of monocotyledons. It is native to the Pacific Islands, Australia, and Malesia where it prefers coastal areas …
Throughout my research I kept finding recurring associations between Artemisia species and women’s health. All over the world, leaves have been used for a range of feminine needs such as abortions, treating menstrual cramps, reducing pain during childbirth, initiating birth, and postpartum care (I did not keep track of all …
Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilat Chaga is a parasitic fungus that grows in northern (boreal) forests on birch trees. It’s been part of Russian folk medicine since the 16th century (Spinosa, 2012, p.22-26). In fact, the word chaga comes from the Khanty language, an Indigenous people living in modern-day …
